Wife alleges drunk husband of PPD — He alleges she didn’t fix his dinner

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 3, 2023, a woman reported her husband for allegedly causing a peace disturbance at their home because she did not prepare dinner. The husband was arrested and charged with the following:

Count 1: Public Peace Disturbance, a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six (6) months, a fine of $500 but not less than $150, or both.

Count 2: Property Damage in the Third Degree (DV), a class B misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for up to six (6) months, a fine of $500 but not less than $150, or both.

According to the affidavit, on November 3, 2023, a woman called the Tafuna Police Substation (TPS) to report that her husband, Matega Tauefu (defendant), was heavily intoxicated and was causing a disturbance at their home in Kokoland.

Upon arrival at the scene, police officers met with the wife, who directed the officers to their home where she said her husband was pretending to be asleep. Police officers apprehended the husband and placed him into the police unit — a strong odor of alcohol was coming from his breath, according to the statement.

Police officers interviewed Mrs. Tauefu at the scene and she stated that “she just got off from work and her husband was angry at her for not preparing dinner for him.”

The report says, out of anger, Mr. Tauefu threw the electric fan, water pitcher and tea cups outside the house. He then threatened to slap her for not doing her duty as a housewife. She explained that her neighbors heard her husband yelling profanities and throwing household items outside their house.

Police officers interviewed a neighbor and who stated that “he heard his uncle Mr. Tauefu cussing at his wife and throwing items outside of their home.”

Mr. Tauefu was Mirandized and refused to make a statement. He was booked at TPS and later transported to the Tafuna Correctional Facility to be confined.